Testing and local pharmacies are the way out of the coronavirus lockdown

Test. Test. Test. The key message from the World Health Organisation has been clear from the outset of the coronavirus crisis that testing every suspected infection, isolating positive cases and finding out who they have been in contact with, is one of the greatest weapons in the battle against the virus.

Countries like South Korea that tested early and often have come out relatively unscathed. In the UK, the government has met its target of 100,000 tests by the end of April. Now Boris Johnson’s ambition is to hit 200,000 tests by the end of this May – and then go even higher. As lockdown restrictions are to be eased, and a second spike avoided, the aim must be to test everyone in the community who believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

It is clear that ramping up to mass testing would overwhelm the current infrastructure and that new capacity must be found.

The number of tests done in the UK (Image: Press Association)

Fortunately for Britain, there is a ready-made delivery network for testing that reaches into every part of the country, and that has been stepping up to the plate since day one of this crisis.

This is our 11,500 local pharmacies, the oft-forgotten part of the NHS frontline.

They have been open and seeing patients in person when most GP surgeries have closed their doors, keeping pressure off hospitals and A&E.

The last two months have been a stark reminder of why our pharmacy network is so vital to the health of the nation.

The government's five tests (Image: Press Association)

The Army is stepping in to help testing (Image: Press Association)

Our local pharmacies could be the key to unlocking mass testing and helping to ease Britain back into normal life.

These health professionals can play a central role helping to provide home tests to everyone who needs them, just as they have ensured millions of prescriptions have continued to be filled and medicines delivered to vulnerable people.

Drive-thru testing facilities (Image: Press Association)

Looking further ahead, they can also help to administer a COVID-19 vaccine if one is found, another herculean effort which where a national network of trained health professionals on every high street will be an enormous asset.

We need to use every resource at our disposal if we are to win this fight.

Let’s make the most of these local heroes who are helping to keep Britain healthy.